Thesaurus.com
Dictionary.com
Definitions

offensive

[uh-fen-siv, aw-fen-, of-en-] / əˈfɛn sɪv, ˈɔ fɛn-, ˈɒf ɛn- /




Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The play comes in the wake of a broader debate surrounding Dahl's work, which was revised by his publisher in 2023 to remove terms deemed offensive.

From Barron's • Jun. 8, 2026

But it requires lots of paperwork, and it's a tough bar to meet: it must be proved that a business is a serious nuisance, or that disorderly, offensive or criminal behaviour is likely to occur.

From BBC • Jun. 7, 2026

Xavier Payne, a freshman offensive lineman at the University of Colorado, never went to a dance at his Orlando, Fla., high school.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

But the BBC saw no behaviour and heard no language that could be construed as offensive.

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

Not only did he miss the opportunity to disown the offensive characterization of Burr; he raised the rhetorical stakes with his dismissive tone and gratuitously defiant counterthreat.

From "Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation" by Joseph J. Ellis




Vocabulary lists containing offensive


Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "offensive" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com